New European currency offers exchange benefits

By CHERYL FRANKENFIELD
Collegian Staff Writer

Trekking through Europe's countries might become easier for travelers, as 11 countries have said goodbye to their francs, marks and lire in favor of a new unit of currency -- the euro.

"I see (the euro) as a positive all around," said Robert Lima, professor of Spanish and comparative literature, adding it will especially aid students and faculty members' trips through Europe.

Although no paper or coin euro currently is in circulation, it will be required for use by 2002. This will offer benefits, including convenience, to travelers, said Brandy Brandstatter, president of Universe Travel Inc. For example, if a person flies to Germany and then to Italy, he or she needs to exchange monetary units again. Changing currency in every country is often a hassle for travelers, he said.

"Sometimes it's trouble to exchange currency," Gerrit Pries, an international student from Germany, said about rates and additional fees that cause travelers to lose money.

Although David Kaylor, Nittany Travel office manager, said traveling in Europe would be much easier without making many exchanges, there still are some drawbacks to the euro. Not all countries in the European Union are switching their currency yet, meaning some exchanges still will have to be made.

In addition to the inconvenience of switching currencies, a traveler might lose money in the deal. Computers convert lire into the euro then into the franc if a traveler is going from Italy to France, Kaylor said. This conversion can result in the loss of money, depending on the exchange rate.

The single currency will help travelers as long as the euro is accepted everywhere within a country, Lima said. Most tourist locations will accept the euro, but if a person is shopping in a small neighborhood, residents may still use the local currency.

Now some stores are beginning to convert prices to the euro, Pries said, adding the change in currency will just be like any transition.

"After one or two months," Pries said, "you'll get used to it."